The Linux tar command is used to create, manipulate, and extract archive files in the tar format. It allows users to combine multiple files and directories into a single archive file, which can then be compressed using various compression algorithms. The tar command can also be used to extract files from an archive, list the contents of an archive, and add or remove files from an existing archive. It is a powerful tool for managing large sets of files and directories in a convenient and efficient manner.. Keep reading below to learn how to linux tar in python.

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Linux ‘tar’ in Python With Example Code

Python is a versatile programming language that can be used for a variety of tasks, including working with files and archives. In this tutorial, we will explore how to use Python to create and extract tar archives on a Linux system.

First, let’s start by understanding what a tar archive is. A tar archive is a collection of files that have been bundled together into a single file. This file can then be compressed using a variety of compression algorithms, such as gzip or bzip2.

To create a tar archive in Python, we can use the built-in `tarfile` module. This module provides a simple and easy-to-use interface for working with tar archives.

To create a tar archive, we first need to create a `TarFile` object. We can do this by calling the `tarfile.open()` function and passing in the name of the file we want to create and the mode we want to use. For example, to create a new tar archive called `myarchive.tar`, we can use the following code:

“`
import tarfile

with tarfile.open(‘myarchive.tar’, ‘w’) as tar:
# add files to the archive
“`

Once we have created the `TarFile` object, we can add files to the archive using the `add()` method. For example, to add a file called `myfile.txt` to the archive, we can use the following code:

“`
import tarfile

with tarfile.open(‘myarchive.tar’, ‘w’) as tar:
tar.add(‘myfile.txt’)
“`

To extract files from a tar archive, we can use the `extractall()` method of the `TarFile` object. For example, to extract all files from the `myarchive.tar` archive, we can use the following code:

“`
import tarfile

with tarfile.open(‘myarchive.tar’, ‘r’) as tar:
tar.extractall()
“`

In summary, the `tarfile` module provides a simple and easy-to-use interface for working with tar archives in Python. With just a few lines of code, we can create and extract tar archives on a Linux system.

Equivalent of linux tar in python

In conclusion, the tar command in Linux is a powerful tool for archiving and compressing files and directories. However, Python also offers a similar functionality through its built-in tarfile module. With this module, Python developers can easily create, extract, and manipulate tar archives in their scripts. The tarfile module also supports various compression formats, making it a versatile tool for managing large sets of files. Whether you are a Linux user or a Python developer, understanding the equivalent of the Linux tar command in Python can be a valuable skill to have in your toolkit.

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